Help me understand, is the Note 8 a niche device?

[Connert]

I get what you're saying OP, but I think the challenge is what category then would you put the Note 8 in? To me, the note is, primarily, an enterprise/work device because of the stylist. If you're not going to be using the pen very often, then that's an empty feature. But what else could/would you compare it to if that's the case. What else would be considered an enterprise type of device with the same features, i.e. pen?

I think you would need at least 2 or 3 like type devices before you could break it out in it's own category, no?

I totally agree with you, but I think the fact there is not anything to compare it with is the point.

My wife has an S8plus and sees no need for the Note8 with its pen. I, on the other hand can't wait to replace my Note 5 with the Note8. I can't live without the pen for my usage. I would never think of upgrading my Note 5 to an S8plus, for me it would be a downgrade. She would never consider upgrading to the Note8, it would be a waste.

I think you should buy the device that works for your needs and enjoy it, the end. The S8plus is a very nice device, just not the device for me.

 

[Serkle K]

Thread reopened. Lets please stay on topic!

Thank you for opening this back up!

Yes, as others have mentioned, my point is that there really isn't any other high end device that comes with a stylus.

OG PocketPCs, and even Palm Treos would have been in the same category, because they had both touch screens and stylus' for usage.

So, IMO, while some reviews do put out there that this is a niche device, and it should only appeal to those that seek out the SPen features, I also feel like they're doing a bit of disservice by even comparing the Note line to any other mainstream device.

Why can't they just review the device as it is, and not try to compare it tit-for-tat with other devices currently on the market or soon to be on the market, if it's not in the same category?

I like the reviews that say, "if you're looking for XYZ, then you'll be happy with this!" Or "this may not be the one for you!" But I can't stand the reviews that just spit out the same old info because the next guy did it too.

 

[Serkle K]

And those devices would be?

I would have to respond by saying I think this is a double edged question...

On the one hand, I can say I don't know what else is out there, but at the same time, I have not seen any (I've heard of the "Stylo" device but never actually seen one or used one) because I don't see any marketed. That to me would say the Note is a niche device in and of itself and should either be a great device or bad device, all on its own, not "in comparison to..." just because it's a smartphone.

 

[anon(238680)]

Palm Treos

I still miss my Tungsten T-3.

should either be a great device or bad device, all on its own, not "in comparison to..." just because it's a smartphone.

True, but human nature wants to see comparisons I think.

 

[jb4kats]

Maybe Samsung did not want this Note 8 to be a reminder of the Note7 so maybe that is why the look changed so much. I just think that a lot of you are expecting this phone to look just like the Note 7 and that did not happen. since a lot of you don't even have the S8 or the S8 Plus you don't know how good this phone really is. I've had it for several months now and I would be perfectly happy with it if they hadn't come out with a note with a pen regardless of the size I think the pen what is going to sell this phone.

 

[anon(238680)]

I think the pen what is going to sell this phone.

Exactly. And that is also what creates the niche.

 

[anon(10092459)]

I would have to respond by saying I think this is a double edged question...

On the one hand, I can say I don't know what else is out there, but at the same time, I have not seen any (I've heard of the "Stylo" device but never actually seen one or used one) because I don't see any marketed. That to me would say the Note is a niche device in and of itself and should either be a great device or bad device, all on its own, not "in comparison to..." just because it's a smartphone.

So, to that end... Are you suggesting that not only do reviewers cease from comparing a "Stylo" Note 8 to other popular devices on the market today, but acknowledge as a true niche device as they say and highlight the +/- of daily usage and importance in that niche solely?

 

[Serkle K]

So, to that end... Are you suggesting that not only do reviewers cease from comparing a "Stylo" Note 8 to other popular devices on the market today, but acknowledge as a true niche device as they say and highlight the +/- of daily usage and importance in that niche solely?

I guess you can't exactly "cease" them from doing so. I'm simply thinking that what they are doing is drawing more of the wrong type of attention to the Note. IMO, if you look at a lot of the reviews for last year's Note7, even though it was short lived, the Note7 was the device to get because of what it was, not because it wasn't [insert device name here]... I remember last year there were plenty of the same argument and comparison to other devices, even being called a S7E without the SPen, but it was still the "Phone to get" on everyone's list because it was a huge l step up compared to the Note5. Ironically, before it's even released, the Note8 is suffering the same type of criticism, but not being compared to the Note7/FE, even if it's not as widely available.

You'll have to forgive me, I didn't have any prior note devices on my radar, because I was a heavy BlackBerry user. I finally went to a Samsung device because of what the Note7 had to offer that I felt would only make my productivity on Android better than the BlackBerry/Android devices offered at the time.

 

[eshropshire]

Exactly. The problem is, you're hearing this from tech bloggers who cover 100 phones a year, or phone jumpers who have to have the latest.

For most people the Note 8 is a major leap forward, and that high price tag needs to be put into perspective. For everyday customers, as long as this one doesn't blow up, they'll be keeping this phone 3/4 years, making it a long term investment.

Phone enthusiasts still think they're the center of the world.

Tech bloggers care about one thing, getting read. Many do so by making statements that get people worked up. From the few bloggers I've read, most have zero experience on how tech is used in business.

Read them or watch them, bur remember the are really just entertainers.

 

[Dark Pixels ll]

Tech bloggers care about one thing, getting read. Many do so by making statements that get people worked up. From the few bloggers I've read, most have zero experience on how tech is used in business.

Read them or watch them, bur remember the are really just entertainers.

Exactly my point. People act like the small circle we represent actually means something to the average user. Not the case.

 

[Serkle K]

Exactly my point. People act like the small circle we represent actually means something to the average user. Not the case.

I guess that's why it does bother me to an extent. Shouldn't the average user be properly informed? Is this type of comparison the proper comparison? In every case of the device review, the comparison isn't necessary to review the device.

IMO, they all state the obvious and the facts of the Note8, but they do not leave it there. They seem to take it a step further and say "but it's not worth it because of the price versus the mainstream device at a lesser price."

Is it really that hard to simply say, "Compared to the - fill in your own jab at the Note7 issue as a reminder of what happened to it - Note7 or even Note5, this is the upgrade you may want."

I would also think that based on the specs, the target audience and the MSRP, that they should still drive home that this is still a niche device, in a class of its own, regardless of other flagship devices. If the comparisons were of just a flagship device, then why aren't other company flagship devices included in comparisons? And why isn't that the point/focus of the review, simply flagship vs. Flagship reviews.

But I guess like it was said, even for the Note users, it's entertainment, good or bad.

 

[donm527]

This video is for you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xakwf7bXodU

 

[kj11]

Serious discussion, because I'm just not understanding...

In almost every review that I've seen online at one point or another before the Note 8 was launched up until and including the unpacked event, somewhere along the line the reviewer mentions that the note series is a niche device. So why is it that people criticize it so hard against other "mainstream devices?"

If the build and design of this particular device only really fills a void for a smaller particular set of users, how is it that it needs to be compared to every other device that gets released just before and immediately after this device?

As a technically first time note user when I get my Note 8, I got this device because it filled so many check marks that I needed to fill. While the S8 S8 Plus iPhone and even my beloved BlackBerry company could fill the same void this one appealed to me more than those and checked off more boxes.

So, help me Understand, and let me know your thoughts.

I think a lot of the comparisons stem from the fact that people still want to feel validated that they made the right purchase. The S8 crowd wants to believe their device is still a great option and they don't need to get the note 8. What they fail to realize is that there is no comparison. I've been using a note 5 for 2 years now, because I love the note line and it was the latest offering. Sure, during that time I could have gotten any other phone, but no matter what they all would have been a downgrade from my note 5.

I believe these comparisons are coming from non note users. Noe users know better than to try to compare the note line to anything else.

 

[donm527]

But at the same time... (I like Erica though)

https://twitter.com/iAm_erica/status/904646323323920384

This video is for you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xakwf7bXodU

 

[kj11]

that's a great video comparison. Something I noticed when looking at a demo unit yesterday was the noticeable difference in 'flat' screen real estate. The note does this perfectly while I was generally annoyed by the way things I looked at on the S8+ wrapped around the curve

 

[Serkle K]

This video is for you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xakwf7bXodU

I think this video is a better representation of how the Note8 should be reviewed. But it still makes me wonder why it's compared to mainstream devices when it's a Niche device.

I don't see comparisons of a Rolex or Movado time piece to the Apple watch or the Gear S line... but should they be compared because they both tell time? No, a smartwatch is a niche market, and so they get compared to each other, not actual classic timepieces.

***Edit***

I appreciate the title update, but I understand that it IS a niche device... what I don't understand is why it's constantly compared against mainstream devices

 

[donm527]

I really think you are overthinking it. it’s a flagship phone. It may be the best phone of the year so it deserves to be compared to the best in every category that smartphones are compared against. And if it’s a fabulous phone and it’s got so much more going on besides the pen that would warrant reviewers to say ‘this is the best phone and recommend it even if you don’t plan to use the pen’ then so be it... ‘the cameras are so good it’s worth getting this over the S8!’, or ‘the touch wiz experience is so much better with the extra ram that I wouldn’t settle for the S8 and WORTH the $1000 price!’

But if they says ‘it’s the best smartphone in the market... but save $300 to get the exact experience in the S8+ or until prices go down 200 dollars or the V30 is a viable alternative and that it’s not a big a jump to warrant trading an S8... that’s fair.

It’s just a hands on review. Wait for official reviews

 

[Dark Pixels ll]

The Note 8 can and should be compared to other flagships. There is a segment of buyers who will still want this phone even though they will hardly ever use the Pen. Think Samsung doesn't want their money? Should the iPhone be niche because it's the only phone running iOS?

Believe it or not, some people want that huge screen/dual camera combo, so they are interested in how they compare to other devices.

The Note 8 isn't considered niche just because of the S-Pen. It's also considered niche because it's price point and status is beyond the reach of the average buyer. You have to REALLY want what this phone offers to justify the added cost.

That's why millions more buy the S series every year. It's still a flagship device, however. So it will be compared to other options on the market. Nothing escapes comparison, even if the comparisons don't always make sense.

 

[kj11]

save $300 to get the exact experience in the S8+

Nope. You're wrong.

 

[anon(10092459)]

What they fail to realize is that there is no comparison.

So, in your opinion, the Note series is indeed in it's own category, then?